A Tribute

This week marks the passing of my Aunt Lorine Turner and my cousin Willey Ernest Turner (her nephew, not son). Aunt Lorine is my mother's sister. Willy Ernest is my Aunt Mary's oldest son. Two sisters married brothers (Cecil and Willy, respectively). Of the twelve O'Quinn children (eight girls and four boys) there are now only four sisters left: Mary, Dorothy, Betty, and Mildred.

Aunt Lorine was one of those quite but forceful children of God. I offer this tribute in thanks.

Aunt Lorine, thank you for facing sorrow with hope; pain with faith; and disappointment with determination. Thank you for making God a part of every conversation. Thank you for praying without ceasing. Thank you for caring for me, my wife, my children and now my grand-daughter. Thank you for the laughter.

Willy Ernest is a testimony to the grace of God and the human spirit. He struggled for many years to overcome the power of alchohol and by God's grace he did and found his place in the house of God.

As I walked with Aunt Mary away from Willy Ernest's grave, she grieved greatly. In the midst of her sorrow she paused and reflected, "I don't know what I did to deserve to be born into a family like mine." I too have wondered why God allowed me to be born into a family that loves and serves Him in the good times and the bad.

Please pray for my mother's family. Linda and Diane are Aunt Lorine's daughters. Alice, Bill, and Winette are Aunt Mary's remaining children. Alice has battled cancer for years. Also, my Uncle Moncie (Aunt Betty's husband) is struggling with congestive heart failure.